Contributed by: adamAdam(others by this writer | submit your own)Published on June 7th 2002With their debut full length Pretty Girls Make Graves has thus far defied a lot of stereotypes and categorizations. They're signed to Lookout Records buy in no way exhibit the Lookout sound. They developed in the shadow of the critically lauded Murder City Devils but avoided the pressure to continue.

With their debut full length Pretty Girls Make Graves has thus far defied a lot of stereotypes and categorizations. They're signed to Lookout Records buy in no way exhibit the Lookout sound. They developed in the shadow of the critically lauded Murder City Devils but avoided the pressure to continue that band's sound. They're in the post-hardcore vein but have avoided the common vocal stylings associated with that music. They're playing fast and catchy punk rock buy haven't let conventional patterns lock in.

Long story short, "Good Health" is an original, interesting and involving record.

The rolling organ notes that open the anthemic "Speakers Push The Air" explode into a blasting yet intricately layered wall of sound. A crash of drummer Nick Dewitt's percussion gives way to racing dual vocals from bassist Derek Fudesco and singer Andrea Zollo. All the while the guitars of Jason Clark and Nathen Johnson swirl and duel and add to the frantic commotion of the opening track.

Zollo's lyrics are straightforward but don't lack subtlety, if anything they avoid the abstract imagery other post-hardcore acts employ. She expresses a range of emotions, from the defiant optimism of the opening track to the agitated frustration of "If you hate your friends, you're not alone." She employs a cathartic writing style that speaks to the listener. Her audience can empathize with her, as in this verse from "By The Throat," which effectively depicts a social claustrophobia:

The band has been frequently compared to lot of At The Drive In, which can be heard particularly in songs like "More Sweet Soul." They display shades of Fugazi and the kind of unconventional guitar-play that How Water Music would kill for. The band shows a lot of range, from the delicate opening of "The Get Away" to the shouting-match of "Bring It On Golden Pond."

The album clocks in at about 27 minutes and the length is really where this release falters. The band speeds through incredibly layered and surprisingly intricate arrangements, coupled with multiple vocalists and a very sensible use of electronic effects, all of which can seem a bit overwhelming on the first spin. "Good Health" reveals its charms with repeated listens and is wholly more satisfying if given some time and attention. One of the more interesting releases so far this year...

Its good
I like it
its the background music to me getting dressed
in case you didnt know
thats considered an honor to most bands

Anonymous (July 10, 2003)

note to the person below me: well i think you suck a bag of dicks

Anonymous (June 21, 2003)

Jesus christ "Pretty Girls Make Graves" are fucking horrible, and even worse live.

Anonymous (April 20, 2003)

if i could only hear by the throat live, i think i would just die. that shit would be the shit

Anonymous (March 18, 2003)

this shit don't stink. its fucking great.

Anonymous (June 16, 2002)

yes this album fucking rocks motherfuckers...motherfucker is a funny word isn't it, if I called a girl a "fatherfucker" chances are she would punch me in the face, but motherfucker is rather endearing don't you think?

this cd is fantastic. theyre even better live though. the power that andrea brings to the stage is amazing.

id also reccomend checking out their self titled EP. all the songs are great on it, but especially "3 away."

Anonymous (June 7, 2002)

The album is not a compilation of 7"s, these song were recorded for this album. the 7"s are just the Vinyl version (instead of a 10" or a 12"). 3 differnt lables (Sound Virus, Dim Mak) with 3 songs each (although level Plane is no longer doing one. Anyways, this band is great.